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Biology Collection

Collection OverviewThe aim is to build a collection that meets the needs and requirements of research and teaching faculty in the Biology Department, graduate (doctoral and master's) and undergraduate students, the Sonntag Institute for Cancer Research, the premedical program, and the general interests of the Boston College community.

Research in the Biology Department revolves around molecular cell biology and genetics, neurobiology, developmental biology and physiology, and structural biology and cellular biochemistry. Hence, journals constitute the bulk of our current collections strength. More and more of our journals are being made available electronically to our users. The general needs of our users in other areas of life sciences are met at the undergraduate level.

Resource sharing in the form of membership in regional and national organizations like the Boston Library Consortium will increasingly play a signficant role in collection development. As access to resources and document delivery become easier and faster due to advances in technology, we will depend more and more on Interlibrary Loan, facsimile transmission, purchase of articles, electronic and on-demand publication and retrieval. Reference sources continue to be acquired for the BC Libraries as valuable research tools. | View selected resources »

Interdisciplinary Elements of Subject AreaCollection development for biology involves coordination with other disciplines in the School of Arts and Sciences and some programs in the Schools of Education and Nursing. The interdisciplinary subjects include bioethics, biochemistry, biophysics, environment, health & nutrition, history & philosophy of science, natural history, psychology and scientific biographies.

Formats and Types of MaterialsResearch journals and serials constitute the bulk of the collection. Advanced level monographs and some textbooks are also collected. Conference proceedings, technical reports, government documents, and dissertations are acquired as needed. A growing number of resources are becoming available in both print and electronic formats; decisions to collect in one or the other format (or both) are made on a title by title basis.

LanguagesEnglish is the language of choice.

Geographic Area CoverageThe major focus is on North American and West European materials. However, there is no geographic limitation on collection development.

Time Periods Current developments in biological sciences are emphasized.

Dates of PublicationRecent publications are collected. Older titles are acquired on demand.